Grand Prix 2012 British Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

After a Grand Prix in Valencia which was probably better than all the others put together it shows that F1 2012 is completely mad. For the first time this season there is a driver with 2 wins after Fernando Alonso benefited from a retirement from Vettel and any pressure from behind was gone when Grosjean lost drive not long after Vettel stopped. The big talking point came on the penultimate lap involving Maldonado and Hamilton which resulted in Hamilton being pitched into the wall and Maldonado lost a podium which seemed pretty certain as it was only a matter of time before he passed the McLaren who had fallen off the cliff.

Without the safety car it was likely that Vettel would have won at a canter as he was a long way ahead before the race changing event in the middle of the race, but he pulled up soon after the restart gifting Alonso the lead and he would keep this until the end of the race, and because of Hamilton's issues he inherited the lead of the Championship with Mark Webber's fourth place meaning he jumped up into second place. Perhaps the biggest shock of the weekend was a first podium for Michael Schumacher since his return to the sport in 2010. Both his and Webber's strategy meant they were able to come through the field and claim major points just like Alonso did as all three started outside the top 10.

Fernando Alonso's victory marks a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for Ferrari as he stormed to victory in a car which was barely faster than the midfield cars at the start of the season, but now the car is as consistently fast as the Lotuses and the McLarens, certainly in race trim anyway but not quite up to the level of the Red Bulls as shown in the early race but we've still yet to see a straight fight between Alonso and Vettel which would provide a true reflection of where the teams are at.

Once again Lotus had the pace for a victory and had Grosjean not have retired he could well have possibly claimed a maiden win for him and the team. Kimi Raikkonen spent most of the race stuck behind Hamilton which prevented him from having a shot at Alonso and by the time he got past there were just a few laps remaining and claimed a comfortable second place which he said underwhelmed him, although since when has he ever been anything but that!?

Looking ahead to the British Grand Prix the atmosphere will once again be fever pitch as McLaren could well be in their best position yet to compete for victory with the high speed corners suiting the MP4-27 and knowing the British summer it could well be a cool day which will suit the car even better and both Hamilton and Button will be fighting for the win. Jenson Button has had a horrid record at Silverstone with no podium finishes in the 12 years he has been driving in Formula One. Hamilton has a better record with podiums in 2007 and 2010 and a famous win in the wet in 2008 where he destroyed the competition.

I know that quite a few members from this site are going to the grand prix and I hope that you all have a great weekend, providing McLaren can nail down their pit stops there is a very good chance that a British driver could be at the top step of the podium, or who knows, if Lotus can finally find the sweetspot then perhaps an eighth winner can be on the cards!

For Galahad's brilliant circuit write up - http://cliptheapex.com/pages/silverstone-circuit/
 
Incubus, I have done,despite being entirely aware of what I said, and I said no such thing. You have misquoted me and clearly misunderstood me too, on a great number of points.
 
I've lost the sector times from the Live Timing now, but ALO didn't set his fastest last sector (think it was 33.3 vs. ?fastest HAM 32.6/32.7). I've no idea how they decide whether he slowed down duly though.
 
If the race is stopped because of a red flag then it continues from where it was at the place decided by the rules. The same thing should happen in qualifying whether or not conditions were better than before the red flag.
 
Especially with so much wheel-spin where putting your foot down does not necessarily equate to going faster. I can't see a penalty.
 
How about Vettel?
Just in theory - how does it work if Vet & Alo go out in Q3 & set time then the stewards find they didn't slow down for the yellows in Q2 which would've put DiR into the top 10? Wouldn't that disadvantage PdR by not allowing him to run in Q3 when in reality he did qualify for it? (does anyone understand what I'm saying?!!)
 
A valid opinion Bill Boddy and obviously as things are now. I would engineer the rules differently, though. We've essentially had a two Q2 sessions with the first, and most challenging, having been nullified.

Motorsport can be very cruel sometimes.
 
If you say so Ninja.

Well I do. And you have no reason to disagree (that you have misunderstood me, not with my opinion) other than preservation of your pride. I think we are done with that conversation, anyway. You clearly think you know my mind and intentions better than I do which is not a talent to be sniffed at.

So, back to quali. Q3 is extremely interesting isn't it?
 
That was a manic session. Some big names out of position (Ham, But & Per) so I'm hoping for an exciting race tomorrow.
Oh cripes, just noticed Lewis is next to Maldonado on the grid :rolleyes:
 
Ha, Schumie had the wrong visor for the first part of Q2 and couldn't see where he was going.
 
Was anyone outside the 107% time in Q1?
Even if they were I expect they will be allowed to race due to the mitigating circumstances.
 
i haven't seen it but Red Bull can only claim ground for complaint against Hulk if he was on an in or out-lap. If Hulk was on a fast lap himself he doesn't have to defer, even if he's slower.
 
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